Book 21, Question 107
Why Must Metal Stay Out of the Room with an Mri Machine?
In a hospital, there is a room with a very special rule: no metal allowed! It holds an MRI machine, with one of the strongest magnets people have ever used in a hospital.
More fun facts
- An MRI scanner uses a very strong magnet to take detailed pictures of the inside of the body.
- Its strong magnetic field pulls on magnetic objects.
- Small things like keys and cell phones, and big things like oxygen tanks and floor cleaners, can be pulled in.
- A flying object could damage the scanner or hurt the patient or staff.
- That is why people and objects are carefully checked before they go into the MRI room.
- The magnet can also tug on some medical implants or make electronic medical devices stop working right.
- Changing magnetic fields during a scan make loud knocking noises, so patients wear ear protection.
Sources: U.S. FDA
Questions kids ask
Is an MRI scan harmful?
There are no known health hazards from short visits to an MRI scanner, but people and objects must be checked carefully for safety.